Packaging machine



Oct. 25, 1949. M. P. NEAL 2,435,912

I PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1946 5,5heets-Sheet 1 3 g five/7207." firrza %QZ Oct. 25, 1949. M. P. NEAL PACKAGING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1946 ',77(@ r776 ffeal/ Oct. 25, 1949. M. P. NEAL PACKAGING MACHINE 5 Shets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 25, 1946 fiver? 07".- Warrzb 1W5 w Oct. 25, 1949.

M. P. NEAL 2,485,912

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 25, 1949. M. P. NEAL PACKAGING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 25, 1946 Q WOrrm J QZ Patented Oct. 25, 1949 PACKAGING MACHINE Morris P. Neal, Quincy, Ill., assignor to A B Packaging Machine Corporation, a corporation of Illinois Application January 25, 1946, Serial No. 643,250

19 Claims. (01. 93-6) This invention relates to a packaging machine for use in gluing the top and bottom flaps of an ordinary container of pasteboard, cardboard, paper, and the like.

Most industrial products are today shipped in containers made of various kinds of heavy paper. These containers ordinarily come from the factory in a folded condition, and when used are opened up and filled, and the top and bottom flaps are glued together. Where the number of containers is large the time required for sealing all containers is an important factor. I have invented a packaging machine wherein the top and bottom flaps of the containers are glued, folded, and sealed automatically. This new machine is relatively light in weight, and its operation is quite simple. The machine takes up very little space and has a large hourly capacity when in use.

The new packaging machine comprises, broad- 1y, 2, base plate for supporting a container with at least one of the inner bottom flaps folded into substantially the plane of the bottom of the container, means for moving the container into gluing position, means for moving an overlying botton flap into position spaced from but adjacent to said inner flap, and unsupported against bending, means for punching a hole through said outer flap by a quick, sharp blow so as not to overcome the inertia of said outer flap, and means for simultaneously applying glue through said hole onto the outer surface of said inner flap. In the preferred embodiment both top and bottom outer flaps are folded into this position and both punched at the same time. There are then provided means moving the container out of gluing position and moving a second container into gluing position. The first container has its top flaps and bottom flaps pressed together as it is moved out of position, and the first container is moved into engagement with a conveyor which moves the sealed containers away from the gluing machine. An important feature of the invention are the control means by which the containers are moved from one position to another, and the pzinlching and glue-applying means are opera e The invention will be described as related to the embodiment set out in the accompanying drawings. 0f the drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken through the packaging machine along line ll of Figs. 2 and 3; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section looking upward along line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section looking downward and taken along line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken along line 44 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an elevation of the punching and glue-applying means; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken along line ii6 of Fig. 5; Fig. '7 is a vertical section taken along line 11 of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken along line 88 of Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken along line 99 of Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is an elevation showing a schematic view of the control mechanism of the new machine.

The embodiment of the packaging machine shown in the accompanying drawings comprises a framework 20, a horizontal base plate 2i upon which a container rests with the bottom inner flaps folded into the plane of the bottom of the container, and with the outer bottom flaps hanging down on either side of the base plate, a pair of vertically arranged endless chains 22 arranged one on either side of the base plate 2! and the container with each chain including a horizontal reach on one side of and above the base plate 2|, punching and glue-applying apparatus 23 mounted above and below the path of the containers through the machine and a conveyor 24 for removing the glued containers.

When the containers are moved by the chains 22 from a first position indicated at 25 to a second position indicated at 26, a horizontal strip 21 having an upturned end serves to hold the top inner flaps to the plane of the top of the container. During this movement the top curved plates 28 and bottom curved plates 28 fold the outer flaps into position adjacent to but spaced from the inner flaps. These outer flaps are held in position but unsupported against bending by a top bar 30 and a bottom bar 3|. While the outer flaps are held in this position the punching and glue-applying apparatus above and below the container punches holes through the outer flaps by a quick, sharp blow which does not overcome the inertia of the flaps. Substantially simultaneously with this punching glue is sprayed onto the outer surface of the inner flaps. During the punching and gluing operation another container is placed in position in the base plate 21. The apparatus is operated to move this container into gluing position, while the other container is moved out of gluing position. While the glued container is moved out of gluing position the top curved plates 28 and the bottom curved plates 29 serve to press the top flaps and the bottom flaps together. The glued container is moved from gluing position into engagement with the conveyor 24,. The conveyor comprises a top endless belt 32 and a bottom endless belt 33 'through the holes :55. arrangement of the holes the :glue .is sprayed in .-astar pattern-.58. as shownimFig. 6. .Thisstar pattern. gives more completecoverage of. the. glue.

pul1ey.=9l. container is moved -along the' .base plate.2l. into .gluing position, while a... second container .is

running'over rollers 34 and 35. The bottom belt is supported on small fixed rollers 36, while the top belt 32 is supported on small rollers 31 with each roller held against the belt by springs 38 fitted around carrying rods 39.

The punching and glue-applying apparatus 23 are arranged above and below the container when the container is in gluing position. The apparatus is arranged so'that two holes will be punched through each top outer flap and through each bottom outer flap, and glue will be sprayed:

on the outer surfaces of the inner flaps.-as shown in Fig. 6. Each punching and glue-applying'apparatus comprises a fixedrjcylinderz i-flarranged in vertical position and mounted-won .a. bar--4|.;

The cylinder 40 contains a movable piston 42 attached to a vertical rod 43. extending through the cylinder 49. The cylinder 40 is connected by two pipes 44 and 45 to a source of fluidasuch;

as air under pressure. The outer ends of the vertical= rod 43 are' attached by means of plates 46 and '47 to a second cylinder 48. This secondtcylinder containaa concentric rod 49 running: through it, with this rod havin a second piston. 50 near its-rear end. Between .the piston 59-.and the endof the second cylinder is located a sprin At the for-wardend of the second cylinder 48 thereis attached a sp-rayinghead-52 having .ascircularend .53 with-a central cut out portion to form asharp edge54. Immediately .behindthe sharp-edgewM-area plurality of outwardly inclined holes 55 through which {51116915 sprayed. The inner. portion of the second cylindex- 48 is connected by means of --a hose 56 to a source-ofyglueunder pressure. The point of attachment of the hosew56 is between the-second piston .50 :and the-forward end of the cylinder 48. The second. rod 494s heldinfixedposition :by. means of a-bracket 57*attached tothe mount- .ing .bar 4 I As can-be 1 seen from the foregoing.description,

-.as soon as fluid .under pressure .is admitted through pipe- 45 to :the. reargportion. of .-.the first piston 42 this pistonanditsattached rod43. are moved sharply v forward. This movementalso moyes the seconcl'cylinder- 48.=.and its spraying and punching head 52 for-ward. During this movement,-which is a quick, -sharp-.blow, -ahole is;punched in one of theoutenfiaps. Shes-second'rod-49 normally-closes oil .the head. 52,.but as 'soon as the cylinder ia is :moved .awayfromthe rod the glue inside .the cylinder. sprays out .Because.-of the sloping .The containersare movedalong their pathby means of spaced bars. extending v.betvveen the parallelechains 22. Thesechains runoVer-three idler pulleysfili andare driven by motor driven The bars :are so .arranged that one .movedfrom gluingposition into engagement with the conveyor 24. The endless chains. 22 .are .operated under .intermittent movement so that whileacontainer is being filled, and xwhile another container is .in-. gluing position,..the chains are motionless. This .oper-ationand itscontrol will be explained in .greater -detailhereinafter.

The glueapplying portion of the apparatus includes a glue reservoir '6! connected toia source of air pressure 62.so that the glue in the reservoir is always under pressure. At the bottom .of the reservoirBl arepipes. 63 and 64 leading .to .the. air 'valve 69.

'-of a coil spring 11 on the-airvalve 69.

. any desired manner.

961 pulls a second rod 68 that is connected to a compressed air valve 69.

The second rod has a slide 79 fitted over a horizontal rod 'H attached The air valve is connected by-apipelZ'to-a source of compressed air and has two other pipes, 13, and 14, leading to compressed air lines 15 and 16. Air line 15 is connected to the rear end of the first cylinder 40 athroughapipe so that when the switch button is closed air flows into the cylinder 40 and pushesvthe piston 42 forward. This forwardrmotion operates the "combined-punch. and spraying head 52 to punch a'hole through an outer. :fiap and spray glue onto the outer surface .of.-an inner flap. Because of the particulararrangement all eight punching and glue applying .-memb.ers .act simultaneously. -As-soon as the switch button :65 is released the solenoid-armature 61 has.re-

turned to its normal" position undertheaction This-return to normal positioncauses air .to flowthrough .the air line 16 and=pipes 44 to the forward end of the cylinder 40-and pushes the pistons-42=backtto their normal position. This withdraws the .punching and spray heads 52. The switch button .65-should be pushed and thenrreleasedso .that

- the punching andwithdrawalwillibeaccomplished rapidly.

The cylinder 46 is vented on both sides of\.the

.piston "so that the piston.mayrmove.bach=and Thisventing may; be in In the: embodiment, shown the venting occurs intheairvalve 69. Thuseas compressed air flows' through .pipe -44. into the cylinder on one side of the piston, the. air .on the other 'sideof the piston is forced out through pipe '45 and into the airvalve by the-movement forth in the cylinder.

.of the-piston. It is there vented.

The switch button 65 land solenoid 66 also operate-the motor 18 whichdrivesthe chains .-22. 'When the switch 65 is closedand the.armature-.61

is moved downwardly, a third rod 19- isalso'moved downwardly. This third rod operates throughsa sleeve-86 toclose a switch 84/whichstarts the motor 18. The. rod 19.-is divided intotwowparts within the sleeve 80 so .thatdownwardmotion of the solenoid armature '6T-pushesthe bottom .portion.8 I" of. the rod. down, .but when the solenoid .armature returnsto .its normalposition the bottom. portion -81 remains down. The bottom portion..8l of. the rod is connected .to .a lever 82 .hingedly mountedat .83 onthe. control switch 84. This lever.82.is.=held-in.position.by an. aligned spring. 85 so. thatthe lever 82.requires a positive force .to move it fromone position to. another.

When the lever 82.-is,pushed down the. switch 84 starts the motor 18. The outer end otthe lever 82.has a roller 86--which.rests..against a circular. cam 81 when the lever .is..in itsdownwardv position. As long .asthe .leveris down the switch 84 remains closed and the motor 18 drives the chains 22 through .gears 92 and 86, which are operated by a gear reducer 89. The gear. 88 mounted on the gear reducer-89 is connected by a chain 90 to the gear 92 mounted concentrically to driven gear 9|. The motor continues to operate until the inclined surface 93 of the circular cam 81 has forced the lever 82 back to its normal position. As soon as this normal position has been reached switch 84 shuts off the motor l8. As shown in Fig. 1 the lever 82 has just reached this normal position so that the switch is shut off. The momentum of the movable parts of the machine will be sufiicient to carry the inclined surface 93 beyond the roller 88 so that a subsequent closing of the switch 65 will cause the roller to be brought to bear against the circular portion of the cam 81 adjacent the inclined surface 93 and the machine will progress through another cycle of operation as has been previously described. The cam Bl is mounted on the same shaft that the driven pulley 92 is mounted upon. One complete revolution of cam 87 constitutes one cycle of operation of the machine as the cam controls the operation of the motor 18 through the switch 65. During this cycle a container is moved from the position shown by dotted lines at 25 (Fig. 1) to a position shown by dotted lines at 26. The pulleys SI and 92 are so proportioned that this distance of movement occurs.

The spaced bars 59 between the endless chains 22 are arranged so that one bar moves the container into gluing position while another bar moves the container out of gluing position. The container that is moved out of gluing position contacts a switch arm 94 which closes the contacts of a switch 95 to start the conveyor 24. The switch 95 is in the electrical circuit to a motor (not shown) that serves to operate the conveyor 24. As long as the switch arm 94 is held turned to the left, as shown in Fig. 1, the conveyor continues to operate. The chains 22 move the container into engagement with the conveyor, and the conveyor moves the container to the position shown in dotted lines at the left of Fig. 1. As soon as the container has reached this position the switch arm 94 turns back to its original position, and the conveyor stops. With this operation each successive container on the conveyor 24 is arranged closely adjacent to its neighboring containers.

The term glue used herein is intended to include any fluid composition adaptable for gluing purposes. One of the most common forms of gluing compositions is water glass, which is cheap, yet provides good adhesion. Water glass is particularly adaptable for use in the apparatus shown and described, as it is sprayed on in a star pattern, as shown in Fig. 6, giving good coverage of the glued surfaces.

Having described my invention as related to one embodiment of the same, it is my intention that the invention be not limited by the details of description unless otherwise specified, but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as set out in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A packaging machine comprising a base plate for supporting a container with at least one of the inner bottom flaps folded into substantially the plane of the bottom of the container, means for moving the container into gluing position, means for moving an overlying bottom flap into position spaced from but adjacent to said inner flap, means for punching a hole through said outer flap by a quick, sharp blow, and means for simultaneously applying glue through said hole onto the outer surface of said inner flap.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the glueapplying means is a part of the punching means.

3. A packaging machine comprising a base plate for supporting a container with at least one of the inner bottom flaps folded into substantially the plane of the bottom of the container, means for moving the container into gluing position, means for simultaneously moving at least one overlying bottom flap into position spaced from but adjacent to said inner flap, means for punching a hole through said outer flap by a quick, sharp blow, means for substantially simultaneously applying glue through said hole onto the outer surface of said inner flap, said glue-applying means being a part of the punching means, means for withdrawing the punching and glueapplying means, means for moving the container out of gluing position, and means for pressing the two flaps together.

4. A packaging machine comprising a base plate for supporting a container with the inner bottom flaps folded into substantially the plane of the bottom of the container, a transfer means, means for operating the transfer means to move the container into gluing position, means for holding the top inner flaps in substantially the plane of the top of the container, means for substantially simultaneously moving the bottom outer flaps and the top outer flaps into position spaced from but adjacent to the inner flaps, means for punching holes through said outer flaps by quick, sharp blows, means for substantially simultaneously applying glue through said holes onto the outer surface of said inner flaps, said glue-applying means being a part of the punching means, means for withdrawing the punching and glue-applying means, means for operating the transfer means to move the container out of gluing position, and means for pressing together the bottom flaps and the top flaps.

5. The packaging machine of claim 4 wherein the means for pressing the flaps together is brought into operation as the container is moved out of gluing position.

6. A packaging machine comprising a base plate for supporting a container with the inner bottom flaps folded into substantially the plane of the bottom of the container, an intermittently operable transfer means, means including a control switch for operating said transfer means and moving the container into gluing position while moving a second container out of gluing position, means for holding the top inner flaps of the first container in substantially the plane of the top of the container, means for substantially simultaneously moving the bottom outer flaps and top outer flaps of the first container into position spaced from but adjacent to the inner flaps and unsupported against bending, means operably connected to said control switch for punching holes through said outer flaps by quick sharp blows when said control switch is closed, means for substantially simultaneously applying glue through said holes onto the outer surfaces of said inner flaps, said glue-applying means being a part of the punching means, means for withdrawing the punching and glue-applying means,

means for pressing the flaps together as the transfer means moves a container out of gluing position, and conveyor means for removing a container after the flaps have been pressed together.

7. A packaging machine comprising a base plate for supporting a container with the inner bottom flaps folded into substantially the plane of the bottom of the container, a transfer means comprising a pair of endless chains arranged substantially parallel to each other on opposite sides of -thebase plate with a-reach of eachchain being substantially parallel to the base plate, a substantially flat plate for holding the top inner flaps of the container within-the plane of the topof'the container, two pairs of curved members for' moving'the bottom outer flaps and the top outer flaps into position adjacent to but spaced from the'inner flaps, bar members for holding said outer flaps in said position unsupported against bending, punching and glue-applying means opposite the top and bottom of the container for punching holes through said outer flaps by-quick, sharp blows and simultaneously applying glue' to the outer surfaces of the inner flaps, twopairs of second curved members for pressing the' outer flaps against the inner flaps, spaced bar members connecting the endless chains of the transfer means with one bar member serving to move a container into gluing position between the'top and bottom punching and glue-app1ying means and another bar member serving simultaneously to move a second container from gluing position, means including a control switch for operating said transfer means to accomplish said movement, means also including said control switch for operating said punching and glueapplying means, means including said switch and said operating means for the punching and glueapplyingmeans serving to cause forward movement of the punching means when the switch is closed and rearward movement when the switch is opened, and means for stopping the operation of the transfer means when the containers have been moved to their designated positions.

8. The packaging machine of claim '7 wherein the transfer means includes a motor operably connected with said control switch for driving the parallel chains, a cam driven by the motor with the cam having a raised portion on its periphery, and a switch adapted to be closed by said raised portion to stop the motor after the motor has been started by the control switch, said cam making substantially a complete revolution before said motor switch is closed with the revolution being sufficient to move one container into gluing position and a second container out of gluing position.

9. The packaging machine of claim 7 wherein each of the punching and glue-applying means comprises a cylinder; a piston therein attached to a rod member extending through the cylinder; a second cylinder, piston and rod member arranged substantially parallel to the first piston, rod member and cylinder with the second cylinder being attached to the first rod member andthe first cylinder and the second piston and rod member being fixed; a valve operably connected to the control switch to be operated thereby; means including a source of fluid under pressure operably connected to the valve; a fluid line operably connected from the valve to the interior of the first cylinder on the rearward side of the first piston; means including a source of glue under pressure operably attached to the interior of the second cylinder between the second piston and the forward end of the second cylinder; a punching and glue-applying head on the forward end of the second cylinder; the second rod serving to close off flow of glue to said head when the first rod and piston is in withdrawn position; and means including a second fluid line from the valve to the interior of the first cylinder on the forward side of the first piston; said valve being arranged to cause flow of fluid through the first fluid line to force the punching head 3: forward when the control switch-is closed,- and to cause flow through thesecond fluidline to withdraw the punching head when the control switch is open.

10. Gluing apparatus comprising mea'nsfor maintaining twosheets ofmaterial in spacedapart adjacent relationship, means for punching a hole through one sheet, and meansfor applying glue through the hole onto thesurface of the second-sheet, said-means for applying glue-being a part of the means'for punching the hole;

11. The apparatus of claim 10 whereinthe punching and glue-applying means comprises a: cylinder; a piston therein attached to a rodmemberextending through the cylinder; a second-- cylinder, piston and rod member arranged sub? stantially parallel to the first piston, rod member and cylinder with the second cylinder being at tached to the first rod member and the first" cylinder and the second piston and rod memberbeing fixed; a control switch; means including-1 a valve operably connected to saidcontrol switch;

a source of fluid under pressure connect'ed'tothe:

valve; a fluid linefrom the valve to 'the'firs't' cylinder on the rearward side of the first piston," a source of glue under pressure operably attached to'the portion of the second cylinder between the second piston and the forward end of the second cylinder to admit glue to said'portion; a punching and glue-applying headon the forwardiend of the second cylinder; the secondrod serving-to close off flow of glue to saidhead when the first rod and piston is in-withdrawn position; and a second fluid line from the valve to the first cylinder on the forward side of the first piston; said= valve causing flow of fluidthrough the first fluidi line to force the punching head forward whenz the control switch is closed, and: causing flow: through the second fluid line to withdraw the: punching headwhenthe control-switch'is open:

12. Gluing apparatus comprising apglue-applying and punching head adapted to contain glue= therein, means for-maintaining said glue-underpressure,-.a valve seatforming-a' part of said head";

a valve memberclosing off said seat, and means}.

for moving said head forward thereby pulling: the head away from the valve member for simultaneously-punching and applying glue.

13. A packaging machine comprisingatransfer' means, a loading station and a gluing statiom.

a punching and. glue-applying means, means-for operating said transfer means to move a cone tainer from the loading station to the gluing: station and to move a second container fromthe."

.. gluing station, and means for. operating the punching-and glue-applying means when-a containeris in the gluingstation, said punchinganm glue-applying means being arranged for punch-.1 ing a holethrough one portion-of the container: and spraying glue on another portion of the container.

14. The packaging machine of claim 4" wherein there are provided amainvcontroliswitch; means including an auxiliary switch, operably connected: to said control switch to closewhenisaid controlswitch is closed, means including a motorphave ing an electrical circuit in which said.- auxiliaryswitch is located with the motor'being arranged to drive said transfer means and with: said? auxiliary switch serving to open and. close said; circuit when the auxiliary switch isopenediandz closed, and: means for maintaining'said auxiliary switch closed for a predetermined time upon' closing said control switch, said predetermined time'beingsufficient to cause the transfer'meansto move one container into gluing position while moving a second container out of gluing position.

15. The packaging machine of claim 4 wherein there are provided a main control switch, means including an auxiliary switch operably connected to said control switch to close when said control switch is closed, means including a motor having an electrical circuit in which said auxiliary switch is located with the motor being arranged to drive said transfer means and with said auxiliary switch serving to open and close said circuit when the auxiliary switch is opened and closed, means for maintaining said auxiliary switch closed for a predetermined time upon closing said control switch, said predetermined time being sufficient to cause the transfer means to move one container into gluing position while moving a second container out of gluing position, fluid operated means for operating the punching and glueapplying means, and means including said control switch for operating said fluid operated means.

16. A packing machine comprising a base plate for supporting a container with the inner bottom flaps folded into substantially the plane of the bottom of the container, an intermittently operable transfer means, a main control switch, means including an auxiliary switch operably connected to said control switch to close when said control switch is closed, means including a motor having an electrical circuit in which said auxiliary switch is located with the motor being arranged to drive said transfer means and with said auxiliary switch serving to open and close said circuit when the auxiliary switch is opened and closed, means for maintaining said auxiliary switch closed for a predetermined time upon closing said control switch, said predetermined time being sufficient to cause the transfer means to move one container into gluing position while moving a second container out of gluing position, means for holding the top inner flaps of the first container in substantially the plane of the top of the container, means for substantially simultaneously moving the bottom outer flaps and top outer flaps of the first container into position spaced from but adjacent to the inner flaps,

means operably connected to said control switch for punching holes through said outer flaps by quick sharp blows while said control switch is closed, means for substantially simultaneously applying glue through said holes onto the outer surfaces of said inner flaps, said glue-applying means being a part of the punching means, means for withdrawing the punching and glueapplying means, means for pressing the flaps together as the transfer means moves a container out of gluing position, and conveyor means for removing a container after the flaps have been pressed together.

17. The packaging machine of claim 16 wherein the control switch means is arranged to operate first the punching and glue-applying means and then the transfer means.

18. The packaging machine of claim 16 wherein the transfer means comprises a pair of endless chains substantially parallel to each other and connected by spaced bar members for moving the containers, said bar members being spaced so that one member moves a container into gluing position while another member moves a container from gluing position into conveyor-engaging position.

19. The packaging machine of claim 13 wherein there are provided operating means including a single control means for setting in operation said transfer means and said punching and glueapplying means.

MORRIS P. NEAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 445,940 Salisbury Feb. 3, 1891 2,378,457 Arelt June 19, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 355,237 Great Britain Sept. 15, 1930 

